Articles of Interest Around the Internet

Articles of Interest Around the Internet

When the disciples screamed in the face of a storm, Jesus slept (Mk. 4:37-38). When Jesus screamed in the face of a cross, the disciples slept (Mk. 14:37,41).

Why could Jesus sleep so peacefully through a life-threatening sea-storm, and yet is awake all night in the olive garden before his arrest, crying out in anguish? Why are the disciples pulsing with adrenaline as the ship is tossed about on the Galilee Lake, but drifting off to slumber as the most awful conspiracy in human history gets underway?

I’m nervous that we may merely go through the motions tomorrow. I’m nervous that whatever Good Friday service we attend tomorrow will be nothing more than an item on our “To Do” list. I’m nervous that we will sing songs with a more somber tone, hear a more sobering sermon, take communion and head home…completely unaffected by the weight of what really happened on what we call Good Friday.

Good Friday is a gift to the Church. We have the opportunity to be struck afresh by the reality of Jesus’ brutal death in our place for our sin. We have the opportunity to have our affections stirred by the display of Christ’s love on the cross.

In order to take full advantage of this Good Friday, we must prepare our hearts ahead of time. We can’t blow in and out, expecting to be moved. We must to give thoughtful and careful attention to this significant day. Here are three ways to get ready for Good Friday…